Abstract

Aim: Purpose of the study was to determine and do comparative analysis of the morphological criteria of Cysticercus tenuicollis in sheep and goat in the Northwest region of Cameroon.  

Method and materials: The visceral organs of 1106 slaughtered small ruminants (613 goats; 493 sheep) were examined for the presence of C. tenuicollis. Morphometric identification and morphological criteria (number, sizes, weights and locations of cysts; colour and volume of cystic fluid; scolex structure; and shape and arrangements of rostellar hooks) of cysts isolated from 380 small ruminants (160 sheep; 220 goats) was performed following standard procedures.

Results: The overall prevalence of C. tenuicollis infection in small ruminants was 34.36% (35.89 % goats; 32.45 % sheep) which was influenced (p<0.05) by season, physiological (pregnant or lactating) status and location of the animal. The proportions of infected animals with a single organ affected and harbouring 1 – 2 cysts were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to those with double and multiple (≥ 3) organs affected and harbouring 3 and ≥ 4 cysts. The isolated cysts were predominantly (p<0.05) fertile and contained clear cystic fluid; and varied in sizes of cyst and cystic fluid colour. The results showed the scolex with four (4) suckers and mean hooks per cysts of 16.52 ± 14.11 with long and short hooks arranged in alternate rows. Overall, most cysts were medium-sized (46.05%) followed by small- (36.32%), and large-sized (11.05%). Location, sex, age and weight of animals and season significantly (p<0.05) influenced the fluid volume. Species, sex, age and weight of animals and physiological status of females and season, number of organs and number of cysts per animal significantly (p≤0.05) influenced the size and hook characteristics of cysts in infected animal in this study.

Conclusion: It was concluded that cyst sizes, cyst fluid volumes and distribution of cysts on affected animals were influenced by the intrinsic (species, sex, physiological status of females, age, body condition score and weight of animal) and extrinsic (location, season) factors studied. Further parasitological research should be conducted to evaluate the epidemiology, haemato-biochemical, molecular and economic impacts of Taenia hydatigena Cysticercosis (C. tenuicollis) in other livestock species.

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